The Eritrean National Holidays Coordinating Committee (NHCC)
Celebrating our national holidays and festivals is a tradition that was developed during the war for liberation. Thus, "Festival" in the Eritrean context has an important historical significance. For example during the long and bitter struggle for indepenence, Eritreans from all over the world gathered every summer in the city of Bologna, Italy for a week long celebration which included seminars, cultural troupes, exhibitions and sports activities. Today, this tradition continues even after liberation both inside and outside Eritrea.
In order our national holidays and festivals are well organized both in content and style, it was imperative to have well defined goals and a committee which could shoulder the responsibility to motivate and engage all Eritreans in the region. Thus, the Eritrean National Holidays Coordinating Committee (NHCC) was formed in 1998. What started as a modest endeavor in the Stockholm area has today grown to encompass most major cities in Scandinavia. The NHCC' organizes the following main Eritrean anniversaries and events:
- Eritrean Independence Day – May 24
- Eritrean Martyr's Day – June 20
- The beginning of the armed struggle for Liberation – September 01
- Eritrean Festival in Scandinavia – Usually the first week of August
The Eritrean Festival in Scandinavia has become a major summer attraction, drawing many visitors from most European countries and even North America. The 12th anniversary of the festival is going to be held from 29 July to 1 August 2010
